Ram Ayala would have celebrated birthday No. 77 Saturday. It's a cinch he would have celebrated in style. He always did. But Ram was gunned down in Taco Land, his storied East Grayson Street bar, during a June 2005 robbery. Doorman Gypsy Doug Morgan died of wounds sustained that night. Sunshine the bartender pulled through.

It's still difficult for fans of Taco Land and its fallen to think about that June night. But it's easy to celebrate Ram and Doug and Taco Land during Ram Jam, a commemoration of Ram's birthday staged by Taco Land regulars Jeff Smith and Jerry Clayworth. The 2010 edition will run Friday and Saturday night at Nightrocker:Live, the new spot owned and operated by longtime Taco Lander Roland “Nightrocker” Fuentes.

Friday night's lineup includes The Sons of Hercules, Hickoids, Loco Gringos,Billy Joe Wingheadand Exploding Sex Kittens. Saturday it'll be Big Drag, Los #3 Dinners, Snowbyrd, They Never Sleep and a special guest. Doors open at 8 p.m. Showtime is listed as 8:30. Cover charge is $7.

Buttercup, the inventive, imaginative and prolific local pop/rock crew known for cool shows, cool records and a growing fan base outside the 210 area code, also has its own record label, Bedlamb, with a growing artist roster.

Monday from 7-9 p.m., Buttercup will take over Blue Star Brewing Co. for a Grackle Mundy. The theme this time is “Buttercup karaoke.” Audience members can sing along with their favorite Buttercup songs.

If you're looking to do good deeds while listening to music, you're in luck.

?Local dive shop Dive Masters is aligned with the Dive Pirates Foundation(divepirates.org), which trains people with disabilities, especially those with war wounds, to scuba dive. Saturday from noon-6 p.m., there'll be a Dive Pirates benefit at Sam's Burger Joint with The Lavens, The McKay Brothers, Scott Ramsay, Michael Davids and Paul Renna. Admission is a $10 donation.

?The Joint Effort Coffee House winds up its season Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Inner City Development, 1300 Chihuahua St. Rudolf Harst, Tom Williams, Jason Carter, Deborah Scheibler (“Day Dreamer”) and Patti & Rod Radle will supply the sounds. Chalupas are on the menu. Admission is $8 or whatever you can afford. Kids get in free with paying adults.

?In February, following a gig at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, singing songwriter/guitarist Susan Gibsonwas in an automobile accident. Her right arm was broken in three places. She had to undergo surgery. Gibson does not have medical insurance, but she's still working, singing while Jana Pochop plays guitar. There'll be a benefit for Gibson at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bugle Boy. Performers include Gibson, Pochop,Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros, Elizabeth Wills and Michael O'Connor.

Jim Beal Jr.'s Night Lights covers the area music scene Wednesdays in S.A. Life and Friday in Weekender. He also plays bass in the local band Miss Neesie & the Ear Food Orchestra. Send e-mail to jbeal@express-news.net. Beal is the host of the “Third Coast Music Network” show from 3-7 p.m. Thursdays on KSYM, 90.1 FM. Check his blog at mySA.com, Keyword: Entertainment.